Award-winning Irish music ensemble Goitse performed in Sauder Concert Hall on Saturday night. The concert was part of the music center’s Performing Arts Series, which brings touring world-class musicians from all over the world to Goshen College.
The ensemble consists of vocalist and violinist Áine McGeeny, bodhrán player Colm Phelan, banjo player Alan Reid, guitar player Conal O’Kane, and pianist and piano accordion player Danny Collins. The name “Goitse” is an Irish word which roughly translates to “come here.”The band has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe and their music was recently featured in the Apple TV series “Bad Sisters.”
During the performance, the band played a wide variety of Irish folk music, both traditional tunes and original compositions. The pieces had moments which showed off different instruments, like the fiddle and piano accordion. The concert also included a solo piece for the bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum, and vocal music with McGeeny singing both traditional and newer songs in English and Irish.
The performance was the first stop on the band’s current tour. It was also the band’s return to the stage after taking a hiatus to record their upcoming studio album, which will feature entirely original compositions. The Sauder performance featured the first live performance of “Tipperary Hill,” an instrumental piece off their new album which was written to commemorate the band’s trip to Tipperary Hill in Syracuse, New York.
The concert included many moments of audience engagement. The performers told many anecdotes about their songs and travels, which drew plenty of chuckles from the audience. Throughout the concert, the audience clapped and sang along with the performers. Jill Yoder, a senior environmental and marine science major who attended the concert, commented that the concert was “a lot of fun” and that they “loved the energy.” The concert ended with the audience on their feet, and the band played an encore.
Greta Miller, a first-year music and communication major, also attended the concert, and enjoyed the audience participation elements of the concert, commenting that the concert had inspired her to learn more Irish music. When asked what her favorite element of the performance was, she said that she really enjoyed seeing the piano accordion be played live, as it is not something you hear very often in Sauder.
